The VWL Groupies & Trivia Thread

[jimmytammy]

What are some of your rituals when staying at VWL? Things that you must do or the trip wouldnt seem complete.

For us...we always have to rub Humphreys nose to start the magic. We always have to eat at WCC at least once each trip. Always play at least one game of checkers in the Iron Spike Room.

 

[Muushka]

THE BEST thread is back!!!

We are bell ringers in our family. The bells must be rung. They are begging to be rung. No choice .

This past trip was a little different from all the others. On a normal 5 day trip I would go to RF one time in the AM for coffee. This past time I went 4 out of 5 days. I would stop off at the Mercantile and pick up a newspaper for my husband. Even though WL is soooooooooooooooo far from VWL, I would make that incredibly loooooooooong treck by choice. Sick, huh?

We always do 1 very late night picture taking trek.

We love to sit in WL lobby and just watch the hustle and bustle. And listen to that little 'thump' when new comers jaws hit the floor. We love that noise.

Then we like to go to the other areas of WL to enjoy the different rooms. One of our favorite places to hang (other than on the couch in front of the fireplace) is that area above the lobby that has those great lamps and library-type tables. We go there and read the paper.

We have to catch the EWP at least once from 'our beach'.

Stay tuned, there are more but I have only had 1 cup of coffee so the brain is still not fully functioning :surfweb

 

[Granny]

What are some of your rituals when staying at VWL? Things that you must do or the trip wouldnt seem complete.

I always, a couple times each trip, go out on the fifth floor "patio" of the lodge overlooking the lake. There are some chairs there, and I get up early with my cup of joe and sit quietly taking in the view of Bay Lake.

We (okay, me) clang the cowbell on the way from the lodge to the villas.

We almost always eat outside after getting food at Roaring Fork. We enjoy the "bird show".

 

[Muushka]

Snip..... Wonder how many of us might end up there for Christmas week?

I'll start!

Muushka and the Mr Muushka 12/23 to 12/27

Bead Pirate and Bead Wench 12/23 to 12/27

 

[TheBeadPirate]

I'll start!

Muushka and the Mr Muushka 12/23 to 12/27

Bead Pirate and Bead Wench will be there too, looks like the same dates too!

 

[Muushka]

Bead Pirate and Bead Wench will be there too, looks like the same dates too!

A pirate and a wench! How fun is that??

Should we start a list? Want me to add names to that original one or shall we be 'spontaneous'????

 

[TheBeadPirate]

A pirate and a wench! How fun is that??

Should we start a list? Want me to add names to that original one or shall we be 'spontaneous'????

heehee leftovers from our more heartier parrothead days I coulda said wanton wench but didn't think that would jive with Disney very well!! And the funny thing is, on here at least, I'm the pirate because Rick hardly ever gets on to post!

I vote one post with a reference # so I can print it out before the Christmas trip to know who to look for. But that's just me.

Lori

 

[eliza61]

What are some of your rituals when staying at VWL? Things that you must do or the trip wouldnt seem complete.
.

My last trip was actually my first time at WLV's (and by no means our last- 5 more days until that magical 7 month reservation date)but I did continue a solo ritual that I enjoyed at the BCV's.
I'm an early riser (no matter how late I stay up) usually 5:00-5:30'ish. So I usually get a cup of coffee (no fancy vanilla locha, mocha variety, just plain ole joe) and some thing ridiculously fattening and sweet (remember Disney calories are non fattening) and greet the day on my balcony. My first full day at the lodge though I went downstairs to the main lodge and read the paper in one of those extra large chairs with my coffee and buns. It was so quiet and peaceful, with only a few people around and the music was still softly playing. It some how makes more appreciative and maybe wistful. crazy I know.....

 

[Muushka]

Well, because this page is buried and I have a question, bump!

I don't usually come on the boards and ask opinions about travel, but I feel so close to those on this thread , here goes;

We are planning our Christmas trip now (because we HAVE to!). We are staying 4 nights. 12/24 and 12/25 in a 1 BR and then switching over to a studio for the next 2 nights. We do not mind switching rooms. We are kidless and we are very flexible, so that should not be a problem.

I know, sounds strange, right? But we are doing this to
1. Conserve points. They are so costly at this time of year
2. We want to pick up the DDP, but just for the 2 nights while we are in the studio (do not want 4 days worth of DDP, we will have just gotten off of a 7 day cruise and this past Dec we did the DDP for 5 days and a cruise for 5 also and it was just toooooo much food!)

We are thinking of doing the Candelight Processional on Christmas day. So I guess dinner that day will be at Epcot. Maybe LeCellier or Rose and Crown. The CP has gotten so expensive that the DDP seems to make sense.

Well, thanks for reading. If anyone can think of why our plans stink, don't hesitate to comment!

 

[loribell]

Well, because this page is buried and I have a question, bump!

I don't usually come on the boards and ask opinions about travel, but I feel so close to those on this thread , here goes;

We are planning our Christmas trip now (because we HAVE to!). We are staying 4 nights. 12/24 and 12/25 in a 1 BR and then switching over to a studio for the next 2 nights. We do not mind switching rooms. We are kidless and we are very flexible, so that should not be a problem.

I know, sounds strange, right? But we are doing this to
1. Conserve points. They are so costly at this time of year
2. We want to pick up the DDP, but just for the 2 nights while we are in the studio (do not want 4 days worth of DDP, we will have just gotten off of a 7 day cruise and this past Dec we did the DDP for 5 days and a cruise for 5 also and it was just toooooo much food!)

We are thinking of doing the Candelight Processional on Christmas day. So I guess dinner that day will be at Epcot. Maybe LeCellier or Rose and Crown. The CP has gotten so expensive that the DDP seems to make sense.

Well, thanks for reading. If anyone can think of why our plans stink, don't hesitate to comment!

We loved LeCellier for the CDP and did it on the DP as well so it was even more of a bargain!

As for changing rooms, I am through with that but my situation is different from yours. There are 4 of us and I am always the one stuck with getting everything together and changed over. IT just seemed to not be very relaxing with all the changes.

Have fun planning,
Lori

 

[Muushka]

I hear ya Lori. One year we went from BCV to VWL and my poor husband had vertigo. I had to do the entire packing thing myself! I would never do that again! We look at moving as another adventure!

 

[jimmytammy]

cause its snowing here at home. I could be curled up by the fireplace in one of those comfy leather chairs in the Iron Spike Room with a cup o Joe or Hot Chocolate. Well, I can dream anyway.

 

[bobbiwoz]

This is the year that our December stay is in the VWL (we alternate) and the weekend points usuage are out. (We do it at BWV, for standard view, but that makes the VWL points seem excessive.) If I book Saturday night for cash, can I still only have DDP for the points' nights?

Bobbi

PS. Please don't kick me out of the VWL groupies...even though we really really do like BWV. VWL is the one resort that we visit on just about every trip we take to Orlando. A real sense of peace settles over me when I am there, and I feel at home.

 

[hannahsmomma]

So my family is heading to VWL in April for the first time. This trip is to determine weather we bite the bullet and become official DVC memebers. I want this trip to be perfect for dh, because in the end it is really up to him. Can anyone give me any suggestions for making this the best trip ever at VWL. Is there a room anyone would suggest, we will be in a 1 br villa. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, but please don't tell me to check out allearsnet or something like that for pictures, I want real life experience from homeowners like yourselves! TIA

jaclyn

 

[loribell]

cause its snowing here at home. I could be curled up by the fireplace in one of those comfy leather chairs in the Iron Spike Room with a cup o Joe or Hot Chocolate. Well, I can dream anyway.

Wouldn't that be nice. I don't think I would mind all of this cold & ice if I could be cozied up at that fireplace!

Lori

 

[eliza61]

So my family is heading to VWL in April for the first time. This trip is to determine weather we bite the bullet and become official DVC memebers. I want this trip to be perfect for dh, because in the end it is really up to him. Can anyone give me any suggestions for making this the best trip ever at VWL. Is there a room anyone would suggest, we will be in a 1 br villa. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, but please don't tell me to check out allearsnet or something like that for pictures, I want real life experience from homeowners like yourselves! TIA

jaclyn

Actually for us the deciding factor was not the resort (BCV's at the time)but whether or not we would use our dvc membership enough to justify the purchase. Do you go to Disney at least every other year? Do you mainly do deluxes?

As for the lodge, my family and I are born-again VWL groupies, we love it. Check out WCC for a fun (but loud) meal. Don't know if it will be warm enough to swim but definitely check out the pool and geyser (sp?). Take the lodge tour or try to be flag family for the day. make use of the spa and gym, play checkers in the lobby.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[loribell]

So my family is heading to VWL in April for the first time. This trip is to determine weather we bite the bullet and become official DVC memebers. I want this trip to be perfect for dh, because in the end it is really up to him. Can anyone give me any suggestions for making this the best trip ever at VWL. Is there a room anyone would suggest, we will be in a 1 br villa. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, but please don't tell me to check out allearsnet or something like that for pictures, I want real life experience from homeowners like yourselves! TIA

jaclyn

I can't help you with a room to request but wanted to let you know requests are not guaranteed. It is best to request a view, non smoking, that type of thing and they will try to accomodate you but that is it.

The activities behind the pool in the afternoon are a lot of fun for the kids. Try to check them out.

Good luck,
Lori

 

[foto202]

Thanks for the info...this is actually our third trip so I know about the room request, but we have lucked out in the past and were given the rooms we requested (never hurts to try). What is a good view to request or floor? As far as deciding on DVC, we are trying to go every year and this will be our second delux trip, we are officially spoiled now! We just want to make sure the villas are a good fit for our family. I am sure they will be. Last year we did 2 nights at AKL and then switched to a 1br suite at the bc, and I thought I was going to go insane in the regular room at AKL. Of course ds had just turned 1 and his stuff just took over! We were much happier in the suite and of course the 1br villa will have even more space. I am so excited about this trip, I have dreams of all the space will have and doing laundry right there in our room!

 

[Granny]

PS. Please don't kick me out of the VWL groupies...even though we really really do like BWV. VWL is the one resort that we visit on just about every trip we take to Orlando. A real sense of peace settles over me when I am there, and I feel at home.

Bobbi...don't worry, we know you are "one of us" at heart!!

Besides, I happen to own a BWV contract too and find it to be a perfect complement to VWL stays!

So my family is heading to VWL in April for the first time. This trip is to determine weather we bite the bullet and become official DVC memebers. I want this trip to be perfect for dh, because in the end it is really up to him. Can anyone give me any suggestions for making this the best trip ever at VWL.

Jaclyn....my very best suggestion is to not try for the "perfect trip". We understand what you're saying, but there's no need to stress out on many things that you can't control 100% such as room assignments.

My advice is to let WL-VWL do its magic. Has your DH ever seen WL? If so, you know what to expect in the way of ambience and theming. If not, I am quite sure that the first impression of driving up to the Lodge and entering that majestic lobby will leave a very positive impression on him! And VWL carries that theming with it with the addition of the great amenities you will find in a 1BR villa such as the washer/dryer, full kitchen, etc.

As they say in sports, "let the game come to you". Don't press for the perfect trip, let Disney work its own magic on your family. If there are glitches, just roll with them and usually the CM's will work with you if they aren't browbeaten.

Good luck on your trip, and with your powers of persuasion!

 

[foto202]

Thanks for the info Granny. I know all about not trying for the perfect trip, believe me! I would insert a link here to my tr from last year as an example if I knew how Of course I always need reminders when I am planning to slow down and breathe! I should have said the closest we can get to perfection on a trip at dw with ds(2) and dd(6). We have only seen WL at a distnace on the way to HDDR last year, so I am really excited to see it up close finally!